Graduating from Barefoot Technology Academy is reliant on demonstrating mastery in the Competencies and building a strong portfolio of project work.
Students build interdisciplinary projects spanning the whole curriculum, developing skills and content knowledge throughout.
View Example Transcript
Students must demonstrate mastery in all of the Core Competencies through their project work and discussion. Alongside every project a student completes, they submit a reflection and evidence that they met the criteria for mastery, and work with their mentor to decide how much progress they've made towards mastery.
Students must also demonstrate mastery in at least 2 of the Advanced Competencies. They usually demonstrate this mastery through large scale projects, such as writing research papers, founding a business, building a video game, creating a documentary, etc.
Students are required to complete 3 hours of physical activity per school week. This can include participating in sports, exercise classes, physical skill classes, or independent physical activities. Parents or activity leaders sign a log confirming students' activities.
40 hours of volunteering per year: This can include any organized volunteering. Any unpaid work for a charitable cause can count as volunteering. Students track their volunteering hours throughout the year.
80 hours of work experience total: This can include part-time jobs, internships, work shadowing, etc., and can be done with any organization. Most students will complete this work in their final two years of high school.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in a world language through projects, immersion experiences, or equivalent study. Dual enrollment credit is available at University of Alabama in several world languages. Students can do this in any language that isn't spoken in their home, including American Sign Language. For students who are not interested in learning a language, we also accept evidence of significant cultural proficiency in a specific culture or set of cultures through project work.
Students are required to complete the STEM Foundations Certificate at Arizona State University, consisting of 12-16 college credits of math, natural science, and computing classes.
Students have the opportunity to take other ASU Accelerate or University of Alabama Early College certificates and courses at a reduced rate.
Students are encouraged to study for AP exams, if they wish to do so, and can register at a local high school to take the examination. We will help students locate a test center, find appropriate study resources, and plan their AP journey.
We provide students with a detailed, competency-based transcript and portfolio, which demonstrates their learning, interests, and achievements.
Similar mastery transcripts have been accepted by over 700 top universities around the world.
Students also receive a high school diploma and transcripts from ASU and/or the University of Alabama.
In a student's final year at Barefoot Technology Academy, they are expected to present their portfolio and defend their masteries to a small panel of staff and outside experts. A portfolio defence should include the student's best work in each of the following areas:
Students may present integrated projects that fulfill more than one criterion, provided they demonstrate mastery across all competencies.
At least one research project in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Students may write a research paper, develop a technical system, or conduct experiments that demonstrate undergraduate-level rigor.
At least one undergraduate-level research project in philosophy, literature, history, or the arts. Students may write a research paper, produce a critical study, or create an academically grounded artistic work.
At least one entrepreneurial or innovative experience. This could include creating a product, service, organization, publication, or creative work with an audience.
At least one major project that addresses a real-world issue either globally or in their community.
At least one project with a creative output. This could include creative writing, a photography portfolio, paintings, choreography, theater, etc.